jamesclavell.noblehouse-第11章

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　〃Are　you　fellows　watching　me？〃　he　had　asked　bluntly。
　〃Good　God　no！〃　Foxwell　had　been　shocked。　〃Special　Intelligence　was　watching　a　villain　who's　got　a　flat　at　Sinclair　Towers。　You　happened　to　be　seen。　You're　very　important　here；　you　know　that。　I　happened　to　pick　it　up　through　channels。　You　know　how　it　is。〃
　〃No；　I　don't。〃
　〃They　say　one　word　to　the　wise　is　sufficient；　old　chap。〃
　〃Yes　they　do。　So　perhaps　you'd　better　tell　your　Intelligence　fellows　to　be　more　intelligent　in　future。〃
　〃Fortunately　they're　very　discreet。〃
　〃Even　so　I　wouldn't　like　my　movements　a　matter　of　record。〃
　〃I'm　sure　they're　not。　Not　a　matter　of　record。〃
　〃Good。　What　villain　in　Sinclair　Towers？〃
　〃One　of　our　important　capitalist　dogs　but　suspected　secret　mie　fellows。　Very　boring　but　SI　have　to　earn　their　daily　bread；　don't　they？〃
　〃Do　I　know　him？〃
　〃I　imagine　you　know　everyone。〃
　〃Shanghainese　or　Cantonese？〃
　〃What　makes　you　think　he's　either？〃
　〃Ah；　then　he's　European？〃
　〃He's　just　a　villain；　Ian。　Sorry；　it's　all　very　hush…hush　at　the　moment。〃
　〃e　on；　we　own　that　block。　Who？　I　won't　tell　anyone。〃
　〃I　know。　Sorry　old　boy；　but　I　can't。　However；　I've　another　hypothetical　idea　for　you。　Say　a　hypothetical　married　VIP　had　a　lady　friend　whose　uncle　happened　to　be　the　undercover　deputy　chief　of　the　illegal　Kuomintang　Secret　Police　for　Hong　Kong。　Say；　hypothetically；　the　Kuomintang　wanted　this　VIP　on　their　side。　Certainly　he　could　be　pressured　by　such　a　lady。　Couldn't　he？〃
　〃Yes；〃　Dunross　had　said　easily。　〃If　he　was　stupid。〃　He　already　knew　about　Wei…wei　Jen's　uncle　and　had　met　him　at　a　number　of　private　parties　several　times　in　Taipei。　And　liked　him。　No　problem　there；　he　had　thought；　because　she's　not　my　mistress　or　even　a　lady　friend；　however　beautiful　and　desirable。　And　tempting。
　He　smiled　to　himself　as　he　drove　in　the　stream　of　traffic　down　Magazine　Gap　Road　then　waited　in　line　to　circle　the　roundabout　and　head　down　Garden　Road　toward　Central；　half　a　mile　below；　and　to　the　sea。
　Now　he　could　see　the　soaring　modern　office　block　that　was　Struan's。　It　was　twenty…two　stories　high　and　fronted　Connaught　Road　and　the　sea；　almost　opposite　the　Terminal　of　the　Golden　Ferries　that　plied　between　Hong　Kong　and　Kowloon。　As　always；　the　sight　pleased　him。
　He　weaved　in　and　out　of　heavy　traffic　where　he　could；　crawled　past　the　Hilton　Hotel　and　the　Cricket　Ground　on　his　left；　then　turned　into　Connaught　Road；　the　sidewalks　jammed　with　pedestrians。　He　stopped　outside　his　front　entrance。
　This's　the　big　day；　he　thought。　The　Americans　have　arrived。
　And；　with　joss；　Bartlett's　the　noose　that'll　strangle　Quillan　Gornt　once　and　for　all　time。　Christ；　if　we　can　pull　this　on！
　〃Morning；　sir。〃　The　uniformed　doorman　saluted　crisply。
　〃Morning；　Tom。〃　Dunross　eased　himself　out　of　the　low…slung　car　and　ran　up　the　marble　steps；　two　at　a　time；　toward　the　huge　glass　entrance。　Another　doorman　drove　the　car　off　to　its　underground　parking　and　still　another　opened　the　glass　door　for　him。　He　caught　the　reflection　of　the　Rolls　drawing　up。　Recognizing　it；　he　glanced　back。　Casey　got　out　and　he　whistled　involuntarily。　She　carried　a　briefcase。　Her　sea…green　silk　suit　was　tailored　and　very　conservative；　but　even　so；　it　hid　none　of　the　trim　of　her　figure　or　the　dance　to　her　stride　and　the　sea　green　enhanced　the　tawny　gold　of　her　hair。
　She　looked　around；　feeling　his　eyes。　Her　recognition　was　immediate　and　she　measured　him　as　he　measured　her　and　though　the　instant　was　short　it　seemed　long　to　both　of　them。　Long　and　leisurely。
　She　moved　first　and　walked　toward　him。　He　met　her　halfway。
　〃Hello；　Mr。　Dunross。〃
　〃Hello。　We've　never　met；　have　we？〃
　〃No。　But　you're　easy　to　recognize　from　your　photos。　I　didn't　expect　to　have　the　pleasure　of　meeting　you　till　later。　I'm　Cas…　〃
　〃Yes；〃　he　said　and　grinned。　〃I　had　a　deranged　call　from　John　Chen　last　night。　Wele　to　Hong　Kong；　Miss　Tcholok。　It　is　Miss；　isn't　it？〃
　〃Yes。　I　hope　my　being　a　woman　won't　upset　things　too　much。〃
　〃Oh　yes　it　will；　very　much。　But　we'll　try　to　acmodate　the　problem。　Would　you　and　Mr。　Bartlett　care　to　be　my　guests　at　the　races　on　Saturday？　Lunch　and　all　that？〃
　〃I　think　that　would　be　lovely。　But　I　have　to　check　with　Linc　…　may　I　confirm　this　afternoon？〃
　〃Of　course。〃　He　looked　down　at　her。　She　looked　back。　The　doorman　still　held　the　door　open。
　〃Well；　e　along；　Miss　Tcholok；　and　let　battle　mence。〃
　She　glanced　at　him　quickly。　〃Why　should　we　battle？　We're　here　to　do　business。〃
　〃Oh　yes；　of　course。　Sorry；　it's　just　a　Sam　Ackroyd　saying。　I'll　explain　another　time。〃　He　ushered　her　in　and　headed　for　the　bank　of　elevators。　The　many　people　already　lined　up　and　waiting　immediately　moved　aside　for　them　to　get　into　the　first　elevator；　to　Casey's　embarrassment。
　〃Thanks；〃　Dunross　said；　not　noticing　anything　out　of　the　ordinary。　He　guided　her　in；　pressed　20；　the　top　button；　noticing　absently　that　she　wore　no　perfume　or　jewelry；　just　a　thin　gold　chain　around　her　neck。
　〃Why's　the　front　door　at　an　angle？〃　she　asked。
　〃Sorry？〃
　〃The　front　entrance　seems　to　be　on　a　slight　tilt　…　it's　not　quite　straight　…　I　was　wondering　why。〃
　〃You're　very　observant。　The　answer　is　fung　sui。　When　the　building　was　put　up　four　years　ago；　somehow　or　other　we　forgot　to　consult　our　house　fung　sui　man。　He's　like　an　astrologer；　a　man　who　specializes　in　heaven；　earth；　water　currents　and　devils；　that　sort　of　thing；　and　makes　sure　you're　building　on　the　Earth　Dragon's　back　and　not　on　his　head。〃
　〃What？〃
　〃Oh　yes。　You　see　every　building　in　the　whole　of　China's　on　some　part　of　the　Earth　Dragon。　To　be　on　his　back's　perfect；　but　if　you're　on　his　head　it's　very　bad；　and　terrible　if　you're　on　his　eyeball。　Anyway；　when　we　did　get　around　to　asking；　our　fung　sui　man　said　we　were　on　the　Dragon's　back　…　thank　God；　otherwise　we'd've　had　to　move　…　but　that　devils　were　getting　in　the　door　and　this　was　what　was　causing　all　the　trouble。　He　advised　me　to　reposition　the　door；　and　so；　under　his　direction　we　changed　the　angle　and　now　the　devils　are　all　deflected。〃
　She　laughed。　〃Now　tell　me　the　real　reason。〃
　〃Fung　sui。　We　had　very　bad　joss　here　…　bad　luck　…　rotten　in　fact　until　the　door　was　changed。〃　His　face　hardened　momentarily　then　the　shadow　passed。　〃The　moment　we　changed　the　angle；　everything　became　good　again。〃
　〃You're　telling　me　you　really　believe　that？　Devils　and　dragons？〃
　〃I　believe　none　of　it。　But　you　learn　the　hard　way　when　you're　in　China　that　it's　best　to　act　a　little　Chinese。　Never　forget　that　though　Hong　Kong's　British　it's　still　China。〃
　〃Did　you　learn　th…　〃
　The　elevator　stopped　and　opened　on　a　paneled　hallway　and　a　desk　and　a　neat；　efficient　Chinese　receptionist。　Her　eyes　priced　Casey's　clothes　and　jewelry　instantly。
　Cow；　Casey　thought；　reading　her　loud　and　clear；　and　smiled　back　as　sweetly。
　〃Morning；　tai…pan；〃　the　receptionist　said　smoothly。
　〃Mary；　this　is　Miss　K。　C。　Tcholok。　Please　show　her　into　Mr。　Struan's　office。〃
　〃Oh　but…　〃　Mary　Li　tried　to　cover　her　shock。　〃They're；　they're　waiting　for　a　。。。〃　She　picked　up　the　phone　but　he　stopped　her。　〃Just　show　her　in。　Now。　No　need　to　announce　her。〃　He　turned　back　to　Casey　and　smiled。　〃You're　launched。　I'll　see　you　shortly。〃
　〃Yes；　thanks。　See　you。〃
　〃Please　follow　me；　Miss　Tchuluck；〃　Mary　Li　said　and　started　down　the　hall；　her　chong…sam　tight　and　slit　high　on　her　thighs；　long　silk…stockinged　legs　and　saucy　walk。　Casey　watched　her　for　a　moment。　It　must　be　the　cut　that　makes　their　walk　so　blatantly　sexual；　she　thought；　amused　by　such　obviousness。　She　glanced　at　Dunross　and　raised　an　eyebrow。
　He　grinned。　〃See　you　later；　Miss　Tcholok。〃
　〃Please　call　me　Casey。〃
　〃Perhaps　I'd　prefer　Kamalian　Ciranoush。〃
　She　gaped　at　him。　〃How　do　you　know　my　names？　I　doubt　if　even　Linc　remembers。〃
　〃Ah；　it　pays　to　have　friends　in　high　places；　doesn't　it？〃　he　said　with　a　smile。　〃à　bient？t。〃
　〃Oui；　merci；〃　she　replied　automatically。
　He　strode　for　the　elevator　opposite　and　pressed　the　button。　The　doors　opened　instantly　and　closed　after　him。
　Thoughtfully　Casey　walked　after　Mary　Li　who　was　waiting；　ears　still　tuned　for　every　nuance。
　Inside　the　elevator　Dunross　took　out　a　key　and　inserted　it　into　the　lock　and　twisted　it。　Now　the　elevator　was　activated。　It　serviced　the　top　two　floors　only。　He　pressed　the　lower　button。　Only　three　other　persons　had　similar　keys：　Claudia　Chen；　his　executive　secretary；　his　personal　secretary；　Sandra　Yi；　and　his　Number　One　Houseboy；　Lim　Chu。
　The　twenty…first　floor　contained　his　private　offices；　and　the　Inner　Court　boardroom。　The　twenty…second；　the　penthouse；　was　the　tai…pan's　personal　suite。　And　he　alone　had　the　key　to　the　last　private　elevator　that　connected　the　basement　garage　directly　with　the　penthouse。
　〃Ian；〃　his　predecessor　tai…pan；　Alastair　Struan；　had　said　when　he　handed　over　the　keys　after　Phillip　Chen　had　left　them；　〃your　privacy's　the　most　valuable　thing　you　have。　That　too　Dirk　Struan　laid　down　in　his　legacy　and　how　wise　he　was！　Never　forget；　the　private　lifts　aren't　for　luxury　or　ostentation；　any　more　than　the　tai…pan's　suite　is。　They're　there　just　to　give　you　the　measure　of　secrecy　you'll　need；　perhaps　even　a　place　to　hide　yourself。　You'll　understand　better　after　you've　read　the　legacy　and　been　through　the　tai…pan's　safe。　Guard　that　safe　with　all　you've　got。　You　can't　be　too　careful；　there's　lots　of　secrets　there　…　too　many　I　think　sometimes　…　and　some　are　not　so　pretty。〃
　〃I　hope　I　won't　fail；〃　he　had　said　politely；　detesting　his　cousin；　his　excitement　huge　that　at　long　last　he　had　the　prize　he　had　worked　so　hard　to　achieve　and　gambled　so　much　for。
　〃You　won't。　Not　you；〃　the　old　man　had　said　tautly。　〃You've　been　tested；　and　you've　wanted　the　job　ever　since　you　could　think。　Eh？〃
　〃Yes；〃　Dunross　had　said。　〃I've　tried　to　train　for　it。　Yes。　I'm　only　surprised　you've　given　it　to　me。〃
　〃You're　being　given　the　ultimate　in　Struan's　not　because　of　your　birthright　…　that　only　made　you　eligible　for　the　Inner　Court　…　but　because　I　think　you're　the　best　we've　got　to　follow　me；　and　you've　been　conniving　and　pushing　and　shoving　for　years。　That's　the　truth；　isn't　it？〃
　〃Struan's　needs　changing。　Let's　have　more　truth：　The　Noble　House　is　in　a　mess。　It's　not　all　your　fault；　there　was　the　war；　then　Korea；　then　Suez　…　you've　had　bad　joss　for　several　years。　It'll　take　years　to　make　us　safe。　If　Quillan　Gornt　…　or　any　one　of　twenty　enemies　…　knew　half　the　truth；　knew　how　far　we're　overextended；　we'd　be　drowned　in　our　own　useless　paper　within　the　week。〃
　〃Our　paper's　good　…　it's　not　useless！　You're　exaggerating　…　as　usual！〃
　〃It's　worth　twenty　cents　on　the　dollar　because　we've　insufficient　capital；　not　enough　cash　flow　and　we're　absolutely　in　mortal　danger。〃
　〃Rubbish！〃
　〃Is　it？〃　Dunross's　voice　had　sharpened　for　the　first　time。　〃Rothwell…Gornt　could　swallow　us　in　a　month　if　they　knew　the　value　of　our　present　accounts　receivable；　against　our　pressing　liabilities。〃
　The　old　man　had　just　stared　at　him　without　answering。　Then　he　said；　〃It's　a　temporary　condition。　Seasonable　and　temporary。〃
　〃Rubbish！　You　know　very　well　you're　giving　me　the　job　because　I'm　the　only　man　who　can　clean　up　the　mess　you　leave；　you；　my　father；　and　your　brother。〃
　〃Aye；　I'm　gambling　you　can。　That's　true　enough；〃　Alastair　had　flared　at